emotional structure, the transformational character arc, and developmental edits

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Characterization and Core Events

Nine months after I said I'd do them, I think I'm finally getting the hang of videos. This time it only took 82 tries--a new record! Eleven videos from now I'll get it right the first time.

It's only fair a workshop on organic writing would grow organically. There were a lot of things I didn't know, like how to stare into the camera and what to do with my hands. I think I got it straight, but there's a long way to go. Nine more in this series alone.

Maybe one day I'll be all spiffy and get some special effects, but for right now--it's just me and my coffee cup. Although I'm getting flashbacks to Kronk in The Emperor's New Groove, plastered up against the wall, Kuzco in the bag up over his shoulder, singing his own theme music.

I think core events is a great way to focus in on a character's backstory, or specifically, the relevant moments of their backstory. Thanks for the talk! Had some great thoughts about how to think about character and motivation from this.

Thumbs up to this! I'll watch it again. Even though I write essays, they're about characters, and I can look for the core events in real people to help me express their/my stories. At least in theory, it's helpful for true tales, too.